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What You Need to See in Your Next Pair of Hunting Binoculars

One of the most forgotten items on every hunter's checklist is a good pair of hunting binoculars. You might be thinking that
you're set as long as you have your spotting scope, but having a good pair of binoculars can make a big difference; you'll be able
to spot movement, even at long distances, with a good pair of binoculars. If you're out hunting without a good pair of hunting
binoculars you could be missing all sorts of movement, using a spotting scope to spot movement will often leave you with too
narrow of a field of view, while your eyes might not be strong enough to detect movement a few hundred yards away. Here are some
things to look for in your next pair of hunting binoculars: Read More ...

Give Me More Power!

Having the right amount of power is important, the power of binoculars is defined by how much closer the image will appear
compared to the naked eye. In general hunters should look for a pair of binoculars that are around 10x power; this will ensure
that you have the right field of view while still being able to see far enough to spot movement. Any higher power than 10x and
you'll have too low of a field of view, also you'll start to notice that any shaking from your hands will be amplified by the
larger magnification. Unless you plan on using your binoculars as a replacement for a spotting scope then 8x or 10x magnification
should work just fine.

Are Lens Coatings Important?

When light goes through a normal pair of binoculars a portion of that light is lost through reflection. It starts out as a very
small percentage of light, however in most binoculars light will pass through up to ten different glass surfaces. This means that
you'll end up losing a lot of light and your image won't be nearly as detailed and high contrast. Lens coatings are a thin layer
of chemical film that helps to limit light reflection. Any coated optics within your binoculars are going to yield a better image
than non-coated optics, however there are many different levels of coating from being just a basic coating of one or more glass
surfaces to multiple coatings of all glass surfaces. As a rule of thumb, the more coatings you can get, the better your image will
look.

Give Your Eyes and Arms Some Relief

Eye relief is important for anyone who uses binoculars regularly or uses glasses. In general terms, eye relief is the comfortable
distance from the eyes where the binoculars sit so you can see the full image. If you wear glasses or sunglasses then the distance
from the eyes to the binoculars can be further. Many binocular companies have rubber eyecups that fold down or are extendable so
that you can view the image without excess light creeping in. This will make looking through binoculars much more comfortable.

Another consideration is the weight of your binoculars. If you're out hunting, then you'll want to have something portable that
you can carry with you. A full size set of 10x42 binoculars can weigh in at up to two pounds. It might not sound like much, but if
you plan on viewing down range for long periods of time then you'll start to feel it in your arms. Heavier weight binoculars are
also harder to hold steady, this means you'll start to see a shaky image as your hands and arms tire. In the end you'll have to
decide if having a clearer image and more light entering your binoculars is worth the extra weight compared to a more compact and
portable pair.

Other Important Items to Look For

Since you're going to be using these binoculars while hunting, it's a good idea to make sure that they are waterproof. If you're
going to be around any sort of water, including rain, then having binoculars that are waterproof is a must. Next, a rubber coating
can really help on a pair of hunting binoculars. This coating will give you a better grip on your binoculars as well as added
protection in case you drop them. Finally, if you plan on using your binoculars often or you want a larger pair and don't want to
deal with a shaky image then having a tripod can really help while you're out glassing for movement. Many tripods are collapsible
and very portable; if you don't want your arms giving out because you have a big bulky pair of binoculars, then having a tripod
can really help.